Backpack with adjustments for body size

Abstract

A backpack includes a waistbelt system with a pocket formed by a pair of longitudinally extending spaced-apart flexible straps for receiving the hipbone of the user. The pocket is formed by a pair of longitudinally extending spaced-apart flexible strap. One of the longitudinally extending horizontal straps on either side of the waistbelt system is adjustable so that each separate side of the waistbelt system can be tilted to fit users having large hips or stomachs. A pair of hip cushions are provided on the waistbelt system, one on either side, which are connected to the remainder of the waistbelt system in a manner which allows relative movement between the hip cushion and the waistbelt assembly to reduce frictional forces upon the user. A shoulder width-adjustment system includes a spring bias member and an adjustment strap which allows a pair of shoulder strap support members to be adjusted to the desired shoulder width. The backpack includes a shoulder strap system with variable-length shoulder which are adjustable relative to a buckle wherein the strap may be precisely positioned relative to the buckle with the use of an index scale with height indicating indicia thereon placed on the shoulder strap. The height indicating indicia of the system includes indicia for body height and torso height.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A backpack for wearing on the back of a user comprising; a pack;   a waistbelt operatively connected to the pack including two weight-bearing portions of the waistbelt which are attached to the waistbelt to define a gap between the two weight-bearing portions to create a pocket to receive the hipbone of the user to relieve pressure of the waistbelt on the hipbone, wherein the waistbelt includes a pair of longitudinally-extending, vertically spaced-apart straps, one being an upper strap and one being a lower strap, each strap having an upper and a lower side edge and further wherein the lower edge of the upper strap is attached so as to be longer than the upper edge of the upper strap and the upper edge of the lower strap is attached so as to be longer than the lower edge of the lower strap to define the pocket between the two straps.   
     
     
       2. A backpack as defined in claim 1 wherein the length of the lower strap is adjustable to allow the waistbelt to be tilted relative to the pack and to the user for precise adjustment of the waistbelt on the hips of the user. 
     
     
       3. A backpack for wearing on the back of the user by fastening about the hips of the user, comprising: a pack; and   a waistbelt operatively connected to the pack including: a central portion having a right end and a left end;   a first side portion including a first pair of longitudinally-extending, vertically spaced-apart straps, each strap having a first end and a second end wherein one of the straps is adjustable in length, with the first end of each strap attached to the right end of the central portion, the adjustment in length of the one vertically spaced-apart strap providing the ability to adjust the tilt of the first side portion of the waist belt relative to the central portion of the waistbelt;     a second side portion including a second pair of longitudinally-extending, vertically spaced-apart straps, each strap having a first end and a second end wherein one Of the straps is adjustable in length, with the first end of each strap attached to the left end of the central portion, the adjustment in length of the one vertically spaced-apart strap providing the ability to adjust the tilt of the second side portion of the waistbelt relative to the central portion of the waistbelt; and   a belt fastener attached to the second ends of the first and second pair of straps to allow the first and second side portions of the waistbelt to be attached together.   
     
     
       4. A backpack as defined in claim 3 wherein the adjustable straps are adjustable to a variable number of lengths. 
     
     
       5. A backpack for wearing on the back of a user, comprising; a pack having an upper portion and a lower portion wherein the upper portion includes a pair of shoulder strap support members;   a pair of shoulder straps each operatively connected between the lower portion of the pack and one of the pair of shoulder strap support members;   an adjustment strap interconnecting the pair of shoulder strap support members to limit the distance which the shoulder strap support in members can be separated from each other, wherein the adjustment strap is adjustable in length; and   means operatively interconnecting the pair of shoulder strap support members for biasing the members away from each other to the extent allowed by the adjustment strap;   wherein the pack is made of fabric stitched to the pair of shoulder strap support members and further wherein the fabric provides a maximum limit for the extent to which the shoulder strap support members may be biased away from each other.   
     
     
       6. A backpack for wearing on the back of a user comprising; a pack; and   a waistbelt operatively connected to the pack including two weight-bearing portions of the waistbelt which arc attached to the waistbelt to define a gap between the two weight-bearing portions to create a pocket to receive the hipbone of the user to relieve pressure of the waistbelt on the hipbone;   wherein the waistbelt further includes a vertically-extending stiffener connected to the waistbelt at a location along the pocket to assist in holding the pocket open in a vertical dimension and to transfer forces from the load of the backpack to points above and below the pocket.   
     
     
       7. A backpack, for wearing on the back of a user, comprising; a pack; and   a waistbelt operatively connected to the pack including two weight-bearing portions of the waistbelt which are attached to the waistbelt to define a gap between the two weight-bearing portions to create a pocket to receive the hipbone of the user to relieve pressure of the waistbelt on the hipbone;   wherein the waistbelt includes a pair of longitudinally-extending, vertically spaced-apart straps, one being an upper strap and one being a lower strap, each strap having an upper and a lower side edge and further wherein the lower edge of the upper strap is attached so as to be longer than the upper edge of the upper strap and the upper edge of the lower strap is attached so as to be longer than the lower edge of the lower strap to define the pocket between the two straps;   wherein the waistbelt further includes a vertically-extending stiffener connected to the waistbelt at a location along the pocket to assist in holding the pocket open in a vertical dimension and to transfer forces from the load of the backpack to points above and below the pocket, particularly to the upper and lower straps.   
     
     
       8. A backpack as defined in claim 7, wherein the stiffener includes an aluminum bar. 
     
     
       9. A backpack, for wearing on the back of a user comprising; a pack;   a waistbelt operatively connected to the pack including a pocket defined in the waistbelt to receive the hipbone of the user to relieve pressure of the waistbelt on the hipbone, wherein the waistbelt includes a pair of longitudinally-extending, vertically spaced-apart straps, one being an upper strap and one being a lower strap, each strap having an upper and a lower side edge and further wherein the lower edge of the upper strap is attached so as to be longer than the upper edge of the upper strap and the upper edge of the lower strap is attached so as to be longer than the lower edge of the lower strap to define the pocket between the two straps.   
     
     
       10. A backpack as defined in claim 9 wherein the length of the lower strap is adjustable to allow the waistbelt to be tilted relative to the pack and to the user for precise adjustment of the waistbelt on the hips of the user.